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Synonym(s) Semiaquilegia ecalcarata Common name spurless columbine Family ranunculaceae Life cycle perennial (Z6-9) Flowers dusky pink-violet (May) Size 12" Light sun-part shade Cultural notes ordinary garden soil, well-drained From seed give 2 months cold, then germinate at room temperature detailed seed-starting info below Seed ripens early July Small upright plant with deeply lobed forest green columbine-like leaves, reddish on the back. Spurless dusky pink pouched flowers. Rock garden or front of border.

In early spring it can be tricky to decide if newly emerging columbinish plants are last year's semiaquilegias, or random seedlings from common columbines - at least, until you learn to tell the difference. The leaves are similar in shape, but the purplish stems and splayed-open appearance of the spurless ones aren't too hard to recognize.

We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston.

Seed for this plant is included on my seed trade list

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Seed-starting details for this plant

2004. Seed from '03 trade. Baggy 35F (2m) - 70F (75%G, 2-13d)
2005. Same seed as above. Baggy 35F (2m) - 70F (4w; 40%G, 6-20d)
2006. Seed from '05 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (45%G, 3-9d)
2007. Seed from '06 garden. Baggy 35F (8w; germination started 8th wk) - 70F (total 85%G, 0-8d)
2008. Seed from '06 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (55%G, 3-13d)
2009. Seed from '06 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (30%G, 3-11d)
2010. Seed from '09 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (68%G, 3-10d)
2011. Seed from '09 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (58%G, 4-13d)
2012. Seed from '11 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (82%G, 4-10d)
2013. Seed from '12 garden. Baggy 35F (9w) - 70F (72%G, 4-12d)
2014. Seed from '12 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (48%G, 7-17d)
2015. Seed from '12 garden. Baggy 35F (7w) - 70F (50%G, 5-16d)

Apparently loses viability fairly quickly. It sets plenty of seed, so it isn't difficult to collect fresh seed every year.

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